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Although the official announcement has not been made, it appears that the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino has been sold to Boyd Gaming.  Harrah’s has been looking to sell the property for months and it appears that they have finally unloaded the off-strip casino.

WSOP Home from 2004 - 2010

For those of you that don’t know, the Rio is the current home of the World Series of  Poker.  The WSOP moved there in 2004 after Binion’s Horseshoe was purchased by Harrah’s Entertainment.  It is rumored that the WSOP will now be moved to a place on the strip.  The two most logical choices are obviously Caesars and Planet Hollywood.

It will be strange, at least for myself, to see the WSOP in a different location.  While I wasn’t a big fan of the Rio, it was familiar and has been almost a second home for parts or most of the last five summers.

Of course, everything changes, and big-time poker is still a business.  One good thing about the WSOP being held on the strip will be convenience for those that choose to stay on the strip during the WSOP.  Of course, for those of us that choose to live outside of a casino for the summer, expect traffic and parking to be a nightmare.

Regardless of where it is moved, it will have to be moved to a venue that can handle the crowds.  The WSOP has grown to such a massive size between the tournament, cash game, and satellite action that it has to be held in one of the larger casinos or at least a casino that has ample convention space.

Details for the purchase will be forthcoming obviously and details about where the WSOP will be moved will likely follow.  If we are lucky, they will announce the move at the same time.  Of course, the question remains whether the November 9 will be played out at the Rio or whether it will be moved.  We should find out these questions shortly.